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‘Panicked’ driver gave brother’s details to police

Posted: 8:08 pm April 20, 2017

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Enniskillen Magistrates Court

A Ballinamallard man, who gave police his brother’s details when he was cautioned for careless driving, has been banned from driving for six months.
At Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Mark Weir (22) of Makenny Crescent in Ballinamallard was charged with obstructing police, careless driving, driving without insurance, L-plates displayed and a qualified driver.
The court heard that at 6.50pm on 13th November last, police were on mobile patrol at the junction of Killadeas Road and Tully Road in Irvinestown when they observed a dark coloured vehicle, being driven by Weir. The car came into the pathway of the police vehicle, causing it to break hard and forcing officers to take action.
Weir was stopped and cautioned at the scene where he apologised to police. He later contacted police to admit having given them his brother’s details at the scene of the incident.
Defence solicitor Garry Smyth said his client had purchased the vehicle he was driving just a short time previously prior to the incident and was making the three mile journey home at the time of his detection.
“Inexperience was a factor as he edged out at the junction to see if the road was clear and was mistaken in his judgement of the oncoming traffic but thankfully there was no collision. He felt that he had committed himself to the manoeuvre and that if he had stopped he would have aggravated the situation.
“When approached by police, he then panicked and gave them his brother’s name as he only held a provisional licence. However he did subsequently make contact with police of his own volition and attended voluntarily to admit giving his brother’s details. This was an isolated incident,” Mr Smyth said.
Deputy District Judge Peter Prenter said that while Weir was entitled to credit for his early plea, he said he did not accept Weir’s panic in giving police his brother’s details was “off the cuff but a thought through process”.
Weir was fined a total of £450 and disqualified from driving for six months.